Are high protein diet foods actually good for you? Can they help you lose long-term weight?
There is so much literature out there saying “yes” to a high protein diet and how it helps satisfies ones hunger pains. But in the next breath, you stumble upon research that says “no” to a high protein diet and that it is best to have a variety from all food group sources. All of the information on the Internet, books, magazines and even word of mouth can be quite confusing.
One of the first and most important things to realize is that everyone’s body chemical make-up is different. What works for one person to help them lose weight may not necessarily work for someone else. It is best to create a diary and write down what you eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks in between. Also, make a commitment to recording how what you eat makes you feel. For example, do you feel drowsy, energized, and/or bloated? Sometimes, it is simply trial and error and listening to what your body needs and understanding when you are truly hungry and not just eating because food is directly in front of you or you are eating out of emotions.
What About Protein?
Protein is the key essential building block to the function of our bodies. Therefore, it is important to make sure that we intake a certain amount from viable sources.
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It is best to have a variety of all the food groups. For those that are meat eaters, a couple of good sources of protein are from organic free-range chicken and fish.
There is so much misconception in our society having people believe that you cannot get protein in your diet without eating meat. This is untrue. You can absolutely obtain a good amount of protein from green leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts, nut butters, grains and even fruit. Yes, who would have thought fruit, right?
A few examples of the above-mentioned are below:
Green leafy vegetables: Kale, Collards, and Spinach
Vegetables: Artichokes, Sweet Potato, and Broccoli
Seeds: Hemp Seeds, Flax Seeds, and Chia Seeds
Nuts: Almonds, Cashews, and Pistachios
Nut Butters: Raw Almond Butter, Raw Cashew Butter, and Raw Sunflower Seed Butter
Fruit: Strawberries, Navel Oranges and Watermelon
Grain: Quinoa, Barley and Raw Oats
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Most of all, it is important to support a well-balanced diet with regular exercise and plenty of water (with a splash of ½ a lemon). Exercise can be a quick stroll in the park at a brisk pace or another type of cardio for at least 30 minutes most days of the week, and lifting weights.
Your ultimate mission? Realize that taking care of your body is truly a way of life…not a “diet”. When you are able to recondition your mind, the rest will follow in terms of losing weight and feeling amazing!!
